DEIRDRE HEALY,
Sir, - I would like to assure Patrick Jordan (January 11th) that all blood donors, as a matter of course, are notified as to when they are next eligible to give blood (every 90 days) and/or of forthcoming visits of our mobile unit to their locality.
In regard to the payment of donors, the collection of blood from voluntary donors who receive no payment is the cornerstone of a safe blood transfusion service, is a central tenet of the IBTS, and reflects Council of Europe guidelines.
Past experience in some countries has shown that payment for blood donations created serious risks for both donors and recipients.
Therefore, the IBTS, like its counterparts in the European Blood Alliance, will continue to rely on voluntary blood donations. The IBTS is obliged to charge hospitals for each unit of blood in order to cover the costs of collection, testing and processing of blood and the maintenance of support services.
On behalf of the IBTS, I would like to thank everyone who responded to our crisis appeal for blood donors last week. About 1,000 people a week receive blood transfusions in our hospitals, so it is important that donors keep coming forward. - Yours, etc.,
DEIRDRE HEALY,
Communications Manager,
IBTS National Blood Centre,
James's Street,
Dublin 8.